EffiCiently and Easily Opening and Closing a Canister Valve

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a method including the steps of receiving a canister in a canister connection housing. The canister includes a canister fitment and a canister valve. The housing includes a receiver fitment and a door. The method includes the step of lowering the receiver fitment of the housing over the canister fitment. The lowering of the receiver fitment is caused by a closing of the housing door. The present disclosure further relates to an apparatus. An apparatus including a nest configured to receive a canister, a door configured to rotate about an angle so as to open and close, a receiver fitment configured to connect to a canister fitment, and an over-center movement mechanism connected to the door and the receiver fitment. The over-center movement mechanism is configured to move the receiver fitment along an axis as the door is rotated about the angle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/792,889, entitled “Efficiently and EasilyOpening and Closing a Canister Valve” and filed on Mar. 15, 2013.

BACKGROUND

CO₂ gas may leak from a CO₂ canister when connecting the canister to anexternal system. This leakage reduces the amount of useful CO₂. Thepresent disclosure addresses this issue and discloses a more convenientand simple connection mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the presentinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a canister connection apparatus,

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the canister connectionapparatus,

FIG. 3 illustrates another cross-sectional view of the canisterconnection apparatus,

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a system including a canisterconnection apparatus,

FIGS. 5 a-5 b illustrate three dimensional views of the canisterconnection apparatus,

FIGS. 6 a-6 b illustrate a front view and a back view of the canisterconnection apparatus,

FIGS. 7 a-7 b illustrate side views of the canister connectionapparatus,

FIGS. 8 a-8 b illustrate different views of a door of the canisterconnection apparatus,

FIGS. 9 a-9 b illustrate three dimensional views of canister connectionapparatus components, and

FIG. 10 illustrates a carbon dioxide system in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.While embodiments of the invention may be described, modifications,adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example,substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elementsillustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may bemodified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosedmethods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limitthe invention. Instead, the proper scope of the invention is defined bythe appended claims.

Embodiments of the invention may provide a canister connection apparatusdesigned to efficiently and easily connect a pressurized canister to anexternal system. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a canisterconnection apparatus 100. Apparatus 100 may receive a pressurizedcanister 110 in a housing 105. Housing 105 may be used to connectcanister 110 to an external system. Canister 110 may be, but is notlimited to, for example, a CO₂ canister.

The external system may be, but is not limited to, for example, abeverage dispensing system. Though FIG. 1 shows apparatus 100 to includea canister 110, a canister need not be included as part of apparatus100. Rather, apparatus 100 may comprise a nest 115 designed to interfacewith various types of canisters having various volumes. Moreover, theterm ‘apparatus’, as used herein, may include any combination ofcomponents or apparatuses.

Canister connection apparatus 100 may be designed to connect canister110 to the external system efficiently and easily while mitigating therisk of gas leakage. Apparatus 100 may achieve this solution by sealingand covering a canister fitment 120 with a receiver fitment 125.Consistent with embodiments of the invention, apparatus 100 may comprisea movement mechanism 135 that may cause receiver fitment 125 to slideover canister fitment 120 as door 130 is lowered. In other embodiments,apparatus 100 may comprise a mechanism that inserts canister 110, alongwith canister fitment 120, into receiver fitment 125.

Generally stated, the lowering of door 130 may serve at least twopurposes. First, it may cause receiver fitment 125 to connect withcanister fitment 120 for opening a canister valve to enable gas flow.Second, it may serve to protect a handler of canister 110 from any leaksthat may occur during the connection process by shielding the canistervalve from the handler.

As receiver fitment 125 connects with canister fitment 120, a valveopening component of receiver fitment 125 may open the canister valve,thereby allowing gas to flow from canister 110 into apparatus 100 (i.e.charging the apparatus). The charged apparatus 100 may then be connectedto (or, in various embodiments, may already be connected to) an externalsystem via, for example, a port in housing 105 and feed the externalsystem with the gas contained in canister 110. In some embodiments, theconnection of the receiver fitment 125 with the canister fitment 120 maynot in and of itself open the canister valve. Rather, as described indetail below with FIG. 10, a controller 212 may actuate the valveopening component of receiver fitment 125 via a solenoid 216 or otherelectromechanical device at desired times based on feedback from one ormore sensors (e.g. pressure sensor, door sensor, etc.).

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of canister connectionapparatus 100. A user of canister connection apparatus 100 may firstinsert canister 110 into canister housing 105. Though housing 105 is notshow in FIG. 2, it is illustrated in FIG. 3. Canister housing 105 may beequipped with a canister nest 115 designed to secure canister 110 withincanister housing 105. As mentioned above, nest 115 may be designed toreceive and secure canisters of various types and sizes within canisterhousing 105. In various embodiments, the nest 115 may include a landingor other cutout designed to engage with a flange or other correspondingfeature on the canister fitment 120 so as to secure the canister in thehousing 105 and align the canister fitment 120 with the receiver fitment125.

The user may then close door 130 of the apparatus 100 about an angle205. As door 130 is closed, an over-center movement mechanism 135 causesreceiver fitment 125 to slide about an axis 210 and cover canisterfitment 120. For example, the over-center movement mechanism 135 mayengage with a cam on the door 130. As the door 130 is moved, theover-center movement mechanism 135 may travel along the cam in such away as to cause motion about axis 210. The axis 210 may be a verticalaxis and/or may be parallel to an axis of a fluid flow pathway betweenthe canister 110 and the receiver fitment 125. In various embodiments, adifferent sliding mechanism may be employed to cause canister 100 to beinserted into receiver fitment 125 as door 130 is closed. Additionally,receiver fitment 125 may be designed to clamp over canister fitment 120once it is connected to canister fitment 120 so as to further securecanister 110. For example, a lower most portion of the receiver fitment125 may be pushed onto the top surface of the flange on the canisterfitment 120.

As receiver fitment 125 connects with canister fitment 120, an o-ring ofcanister fitment 120 seals the connection. In various embodiments of theinvention, a valve opening component of receiver fitment 125 may forceopen a valve of canister 110 upon or after its connection to canisterfitment 120. The opening of the valve may allow gas to flow fromcanister 110 to canister connection apparatus 100. In variousembodiments, the o-ring of the canister fitment 120 seals the connectionprior to the valve opening component of the receiver fitment 125 openingthe valve of canister 110. In various embodiments, canister connectionapparatus 100 may be designed so that the opening of canister valveoccurs when or after door 130 has already been substantially closed.

The connection between receiver fitment 125 and canister fitment 120effectively shield the user from accidental gas discharge in case of adefective o-ring or other anomaly. Moreover, since the canister valvemay be opened only as door 130 is lowered, door 130 may also serve asshield protecting the user from accidental gas discharge.

As door 130 is opened about angle 205, receiver fitment 125 may bedisconnected from canister fitment 120 in a similar way that it wasconnected to canister fitment 120 (e.g., about axis 210). In variousother embodiments, canister fitment 120 may be disconnected fromreceiver fitment 125 in a similar way that it was connected to receiverfitment 125. The disconnection between receiver fitment 125 and canisterfitment 120 may shut the canister valve, thereby stopping the gas flow.In this way, the user may be shielded from the potential gas dischargefrom disconnecting canister 110 from apparatus 100 in a similar way inwhich the user was shielded when connecting canister 110. In variousembodiments, the o-ring of the canister fitment 120 seals the connectionuntil after the valve opening component of the receiver fitment 125disengages with the valve of canister 110 and allows the valve of thecanister 110 to close.

Consistent with embodiments of the invention, canister connectionapparatus 100 may comprise a locking mechanism. For example, door 130may be latched to housing 105 when closed. The latch may comprise, butis not limited to, for example, an electrical solenoid. The opening ofdoor 130 may be, for example, password protected. Any suitable lockingmechanism may be used. In some embodiments, a closed door sensor 222 maybe used to ensure that the door is closed and prevent the opening of thecanister valve if the door is not closed. In some embodiments, the latchor locking mechanism may serve as a closed door sensor. As shown in FIG.10, the controller 212 may prevent the solenoid 216 from being activatedto open the canister valve until the closed door sensor 222 indicatesthat the door 130 is closed.

FIG. 4 illustrates a system comprising canister connection apparatus100. The system may comprise a beverage dispenser 400 and includes auser interface 402, a push to pour button 404, a carbonator 406, and anozzle 408. Syrups may be stored in a plurality of syrup cartridges(e.g., a first syrup cartridge 410, a second syrup cartridge 412, athird syrup cartridge 414, and a fourth syrup cartridge 416). Flavorsmay be stored in a plurality of flavor cartridges (e.g., a first flavorcartridge 118, a second flavor cartridge 420, a third flavor cartridge422, a fourth flavor cartridge 424). The plurality of syrup cartridgesand the plurality of flavor cartridges are connected to the nozzle 408.

During operation, a user may select a beverage using the user interface402. When the user presses the push to pour button 404, carbonated waterflows from the carbonator 406 to the nozzle 408 and the appropriatesyrups and/or flavors flow from the plurality of syrup cartridges and/orthe plurality of flavor cartridges. In a post mix beverage dispenserthe, the syrups, flavors, and carbonated water mix about the nozzle 408.For example, if a user selects a cherry flavored cola, carbonated waterwill flow from the carbonator 406 to the nozzle 408. The cola syrup andcherry flavoring will flow from the appropriate cartridges to the nozzle408. The ingredients will then flow through the nozzle 408 and may airmix within the exiting fluid stream and a cup 426.

The carbonated water is formed within the carbonator 406. To form thecarbonated water, CO₂ flows from a carbon dioxide source (e.g., canisterconnection apparatus 100) to the carbonator 406. Still water may flowinto the carbonator 406 from an external source 430. The cooperation ofthe beverage dispenser may be controlled by a control module 432. Thecontrol module 432 may also monitor a backpressure, via a pressuresensor 434, within the plumbing between the carbonator 406 and thenozzle 408.

FIG. 5 a is a first three dimensional view of canister connectionapparatus 100. FIG. 5 b is a second three dimensional view of canisterconnection apparatus 100. FIG. 6 a is a front view of canisterconnection apparatus 100. FIG. 6 b is a back view of canister connectionapparatus 100. FIG. 7 a is a first side view of canister connectionapparatus 100. FIG. 7 b is a second side view of canister connectionapparatus 100. FIG. 8 a is a front view door 130. FIG. 8 b is a backview door 130. FIGS. 9 a-9B are three dimensional view of canister 110,nest 115, canister fitment 120, receiver fitment 125, and movementmechanism 135.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a carbon dioxide system 200. The carbon dioxidesystem 200 can include a carbonation tank 202, a CO₂ canister 204, acarbonator throttle 206 (e.g., sintered metal disc) and a quick connectmechanism 208. In some embodiments, the quick connect mechanism 208 maybe embodied as described above. The carbonator throttle 206 may includea piston, a butterfly valve, or any other electromechanical obstructionsknown in the art for limiting a flow rate of a fluid through a passage.The carbon dioxide system 200 is constructed to prevent over pressurewithin the system. The carbonation tank 202 can include a pressuresensor 210 constructed to detect pressure within the carbonation tank202. In one example, the pressure sensor 210 can be in communicationwith a controller 212.

The quick connect mechanism 208 can include a lever 214 and a solenoid216. In the depicted example, the quick connect mechanism 208 is shownand described for a CO₂ canister with a vertical outlet. In one example,the quick connect mechanism 208 can be used for CO₂ canisters that havea right-angled outlet. In other examples, the quick connect mechanism208 can be used for CO₂ canisters that otherwise have outlets that arenot vertical.

In certain examples, the controller 212 can be in communication with thesolenoid 216 to energize the solenoid 216. The controller 212 maycommunicate with the lever 214 via a solenoid 216 or any otherelectromechanical devices known in the art. The solenoid 216 can beconfigured to pull the lever 214 that presses a release pin 218 (e.g.,schrader valve) down within the CO₂ canister 204 to open a passageway220 to release gas that can flow through the carbonator throttle 206 anda fitting to feed line 222 which can lead to a top of the carbonationtank 202 to carbonate. In one example, the solenoid 216 can release gasfrom the CO₂ canister 204 through the line 222 each time the pressurefalls below a set point predetermined by the user. In some embodiments,the controller 212 may prevent the solenoid 216 from being energizedunless the closed door sensor 222 indicates that the door 130 is closed.

In certain examples, the carbonator throttle 206 can be constructed torestrict the flow rate of the gas coming out of the CO₂ canister 204under high pressure to a reduced flow rate once the release pin 218 ispressed. The carbonator throttle 206 provides a very high restriction tothe gas flow rate so the gas is released in a control way which can helpprevent the carbonation tank 202 from being over pressurized. Therefore,the carbonator throttle 206 establishes a maximum throttle flow rate ofCO₂ from the CO₂ canister 204 to the carbonation tank 202. In the carbondioxide system 200, regulators can be eliminated because the carbonatorthrottle 206 allows the carbon dioxide system 200 to react slowly suchthat the carbonation tank 202 can adapt the new pressure of the gas in acontrollable way. In one example, the carbonation tank 202 can include apressure relief valve 224 that can relieve the pressure if the carbondioxide system 200 supplies excess CO₂ to the carbonation tank 202. Insome examples, the pressure relief valve 224 can act as a back up tohelp relieve the high pressure of gas in the event of a failure of thepressure sensor 210 or if the release pin 206 were to get stuck. Thepressure relief valve 224 may enable CO₂ to be vented to the atmosphereonce a predetermined pressure has accumulated within the carbonationtank 202. Upon the pressure within the carbonation tank 202 fallingbelow a second predetermined pressure, the pressure relief valve mayclose. The pressure relief valve may be designed to enable venting gas(e.g. CO₂) from the carbonation tank 202 up to a maximum venting flowrate. In some embodiments, the maximum throttle flow rate is less thanthe maximum venting flow rate. Therefore, even if the release pin 218 isstuck open, the pressure relief valve 224 will be able to vent excessCO₂ to atmosphere faster than the CO₂ is being supplied to thecarbonation tank 202. Accordingly, excess pressures will not build upwithin the carbonation tank 202.

Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scopeand spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that thescope of this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrativeexamples set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a canister comprising acanister fitment; a carbonation tank configured to receive gas from thecanister; a receiver fitment configured to connect to the canisterfitment, wherein the receiver fitment comprises a carbonator throttleconfigured to restrict gas flow to the carbonation tank; and acontroller in communication with the receiver fitment and thecarbonation tank.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the canister is acarbon dioxide source configured to deliver carbon dioxide gas to thecarbonation tank.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the carbonation tankcomprises a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure within thecarbonation tank.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the pressure sensoris in communication with the controller.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the carbonation tank comprises a pressure relief valveconfigured to exhaust the received carbon dioxide upon command from thecontroller.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the carbonator throttlemay be actuated by the controller in communication with the receiverfitment.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller may actuatethe carbonator throttle by energizing a solenoid in communication withthe controller and the carbonator throttle.
 8. The system of claim 1,further comprising a door sensor in communication with the controller.9. The system of claim 8, wherein the controller restricts gas flow tothe carbonation tank via the carbonator throttle until the door sensorindicates a door housing the canister has been closed.
 10. A method ofcontrolling over pressure within a system, the method comprising:providing a carbon dioxide system, the carbon dioxide system including acarbonation tank, a CO₂ canister, a carbonator throttle, and a quickconnect mechanism, the quick connect mechanism including a lever and asolenoid; energizing the solenoid via a controller; pulling the lever ofthe quick connect mechanism, the pulling of the lever being caused bythe solenoid; pressing a release pin down into the CO₂ canister, therelease pin being pressed down by the lever of the quick connectmechanism to open a passageway; releasing a flow of gas through thepassageway; and restricting the flow of gas through the carbonatorthrottle coming from the CO₂ canister; and leading the flow of gas to atop of the carbonation tank.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein pullingthe lever of the quick connect mechanism comprises communicating with acontroller.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing amaximum throttle flow rate of CO₂ from the CO₂ canister to thecarbonation tank.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the carbonatorthrottle is a metal disc.
 14. The method of claim 10, further comprisingcontrolling the release of the flow of gas from the CO₂ canister eachtime pressure falls below a first predetermined set point.
 15. Themethod of claim 10, wherein pulling the lever of the quick connectmechanism causes the release pin to be pressed simultaneously.
 16. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising venting excess gas from thecarbonation tank to the atmosphere by a pressure relief valve positionedon the carbonation tank.
 17. The method of claim 11, further comprisingdetecting pressure within the carbonation tank by a pressure sensor. 18.The method of claim 14, further comprising closing the pressure reliefvalve when the pressure within the carbonation tank falls below a secondpredetermined pressure.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein venting ofthe excess gas by the pressure relief valve occurs faster than the flowof gas being supplied to the carbonation tank.
 20. The method of claim17, wherein the pressure sensor is in communication with the controller.